Durham are ‘not running out of money’, insists chief executive

Durham chief executive David Harker insists that the club is not in danger of going bankrupt.

And a new contract for one of Durham’s senior players is expected to be confirmed today.

Rumours of potential administration at the Emirates Riverside were dismissed by Harker, who assured players at a team meeting that contracts would be honoured.

Speculation over financial troubles has mounted since opening batsman Mark Stoneman revealed last week that he had signed a deal to join Surrey for the 2017 season, turning down a new, improved offer by Durham.

Other counties have reportedly offered contracts to Scott Borthwick and Keaton Jennings, too.

Durham are understood to have put a new deal on the table for Sunderland-born Borthwick.

But Harker told the BBC about the team meeting, saying: “Hopefully I persuaded them that the rumours were nonsense.

“We are not running out of money.

“Work is in hand to sort our long-term future and we looking at ways to continue sustaining cricket in the North East.

“We are not facing administration in the near future.”

Durham, meanwhile, return to Specsavers County Championship action tomorrow with a trip to Taunton to face Somerset. Durham are 13 points adrift of leaders Middlesex, with a game in hand, as they chase a fourth title.